Abstract:The effect of an electric body force on vorticity production and turbulence generation in a gas is investigated by examination of the governing electrohydrodynamic equations. The theoretical concepts are illustrated by hot-film anemometer measurements of the electrically induced turbulence in a large scale electrostatic precipitator. The results indicate dramatic increases in turbulence and diffusivity due to the corona discharge and suggest that turbulence control in this application requires a modification in electrode geometry.